Macroalgae

bterry29

Member
I have read where people put macroalgae in their refugium to clean up the water and get rid of bad algae. I don't have a refugium but was wondering if I could put this in my tank? I understand some fish like to eat it too. I have seen some red and some green macroalgae. Is one better than the other? Do they float in the water or should you attach them to a rock? Thanks for your help.
 

goldrush

Member
Ideally a refugium is the place to grow caulerpa (or other macroalgae).It is a place where you can control the growth and it also provides a "safe" place to let pods and other beneficial critters to grow without being eaten.To answer your question,yes,you can put macroalgae in you main tank.Just be aware that it can possibly get out of control.
 
Can you elaborate more on growing macroalgae in the main tank? I didn't realize that was an option, and my sump isn't big enough to add a refugium option. Thanks.
 

birdy

Active Member
Not too complicated you just put it in the main tank, it will anchor to the rocks or in the sandbed. The only problem can be it will grow like crazy and take over in your tank. Bang Guy has caulpera in his main tank and it looks fantastic, very natural looking.
 

goldrush

Member
Like I said, ideally you want this in a refugium,consider one. There are macroalgae that won't (take over) your main tank. Shaving brush is one,they sell it here. Another that you can control is Halemedia. It is a calcerous algae that does not grow out of control as much as Caulerpa,but does consume calcium. Some people have Caulerpa in their main tank.With the right balance of algae eating fish they are able to keep it under control.As for me,I just have a few small fish in my reef so people don't look in and say "did all your fish die". Good Luck
 
Thanks birdy & goldrush. I checked out the shaving brush and really like the idea of having it in the main tank. How will it fare with cleanup crews/clams? You guys definately gave me something to think about/research. Thanks alot!:)
 

goldrush

Member
Your cleanup crew shouldn't present any problem with shaving brush. Years ago,when I had a FO tank,I had them. My tang and angel quickly ate it down to the trunk.It doesn't grow back very quickly,so that didn't work for me. Halemedia has a bitter taste (I'm told) so they are less likely to eat it. First you have to find it somewhere,and you will have to watch your calcium levels,as it does consume it.
 
OK, not so happy to hear about tangs/angels not working with shaving brush. How will reef inhabitants fare with the following:
1) Hawaiian-red sea fern
2) money plant
3) grape caulerpa
?
Also, how do the above plants deal with Nitrates? Keep in mind I'd like to have them in the main tank. Thanks in advance.;)
 

fulcrum

Member
What sort of lighting is required for the Caulerpa?
Will a tang keep the growth under control?
I am assuming that natural growing plants aid in denitrification and inhibits other forms of less disireable algae from growing. Right?
 

legion

Member
I have to growths of calupera in my main tank to keep the bad algae away. I have 130watts on a 40 breeder(3.25 per gallon).
It grows at a good rate, but not uncontrolable.
 
N

newreefers

Guest
don't know if this will help, but I have some shaving brush and my flame angel and my sailfin blenny totally ignores it. Both will eat any other kind of algae in the tank but these.
 
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